Device for labeling containers and method for controlling the device for labeling containers

Abstract

A device, and related method for controlling the device, for labeling containers with a container conveyor, having at least one container rotation device to rotate a container in a first direction about an axis, in a second direction about this axis in the opposite direction or not to rotate this container, with at least two labeling stations each with a labeling assembly and a pressing-on device, with a control device generating control commands for the container rotation device based on activity information of the labeling stations. In the region of an inactive labeling station, the container rotation device is rotated in the first direction, so that a container of the container rotation device can roll onto the pressing-on device and in the region of an active labeling station, the container device is rotated in the second direction, so that a label applied to the container can be pressed on.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for labeling containers, comprising:
 a container conveyor which is adapted to convey containers along a transport path, 
 at least one container rotation device where each of the at least one container rotation device is adapted to receive a container and where each container rotation device is further adapted to rotate the one container in a first direction about an axis, to rotate it in a second direction about the axis in the opposite direction, or to not rotate the container, 
 at least two labeling stations, where each labeling station comprises a labeling assembly and a pressing-on device, where the labeling assembly is adapted to provide labels to be applied to containers, where the pressing-on device is adapted to press a label applied to a container onto the container and, 
 a control device generating control commands for the at least one container rotation device based on activity information of the at least two labeling stations, where:
 the at least one container rotation device is in a first region of an inactive labeling station rotated in the first direction, so that a container of the at least one container rotation device by rotation in the first direction can roll one of completely or partially onto the pressing-on device of the inactive labeling station; and 
 the at least one container rotation device is in a second region of an active labeling station rotated in the second direction, so that a label applied to a container of the at least one container rotation device by the labeling assembly of the active labeling station can by rotation in the second direction be one of completely or partially pressed onto the container by the pressing-on device of the active labeling station. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the container conveyor is adapted to convey the containers at a conveying velocity ({right arrow over (v)} T ) along the transport path, and where the rotation in the first direction is configured to perform the container rotation device of the inactive labeling station at a first velocity ({right arrow over (v)} 1 ), and where in a rolling-on region ( 58 , {right arrow over (p)}) the absolute value (|{right arrow over (v)} 1 ({right arrow over (p)})|) of the first velocity ({right arrow over (v)} 1 ) is equal to the absolute value (|{right arrow over (v)} T ({right arrow over (p)})|) of the conveying velocity ({right arrow over (v)} T ) and where in a rolling-on region ( 58 , {right arrow over (p)}) of the container onto the pressing-on device the first velocity ({right arrow over (v)} 1 ({right arrow over (p)})) and the conveying velocity ({right arrow over (v)} T ({right arrow over (p)})) are oriented oppositely. 
     
     
       3. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressing-on device comprises brush members. 
     
     
       4. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressing-on device comprises a formed member being provided with a support comprising foam. 
     
     
       5. The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the foam comprises integral foam. 
     
     
       6. The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the support is covered with foil. 
     
     
       7. The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the foam is closed-cell. 
     
     
       8. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressing-on device comprises a roller, where the roller comprises one of a rubbery-elastic material, foam, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
       9. The device according to  claim 8 , wherein at least a cover surface of the roller is covered with foil. 
     
     
       10. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressing-on device comprises foam with a tape, where the tape comprises polytetrafluoroethylene. 
     
     
       11. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressing-on device comprises a brush body, where the brush body comprises a plastic body on which individual bristle members are disposed. 
     
     
       12. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the containers comprise one of bottles, cans, and receptacles. 
     
     
       13. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the conveyor comprises one of a carousel and a linear conveyor. 
     
     
       14. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one container rotation device is one of a turntable, a gripper and a centering bell.